DETAILKING said:I wanted to chime in here to go over a few things. In most cases, the presence of an "oil" will inhibit the crosslinking, bonding, curing adn physical properties of a polymer. On a molecular level, the oils inhibit the polymer from becoming the solid structure that it wants to be. In large proportions, an oil will hinder the crosslinking (act as a barrier between chains) and you will be left with a pile of goo. In smaller proportions, if the oil was even compatible with the system in the first place, the oil will weaken the backbone structure of the polymer by preserving the "fluid" (flowing) properties to the crosslinking substance. This will effect overall hardness, durability, cure time, and bonding. I would say that most oils are not even soluble in polymer formulas. This means that the oils could migrate to the surface while the polymer cures underneath. A diminish in shine after a wash or rain storm would lead one to believe that the protection is gone if the oil was the only source of shine (a half a$$ polymer formulation in my opinion.
As for the candle wax theory....well candle wax is not a polymer, it is a wax. Basically its just a solid structure at room temperature not a crosslinked compound. Candles wax is poured hot into a mold along with other ingredients and then cooled to a solid form. This is like comparing apples to oranges when talking about it in relation to polymer chemistry.
As for the ionic / covalent thing....none of these are happening in a polymer formulation as it is curing on your paint. Any bonding is caused by an adhesive property inherent in the formula (glue, caulk,etc,etc...all similar examples. Ionic or covalent bonding suggests that your paint and the sealant are coming together to form a new compound which simply is not the case.
Hope this helps....
Everything I was trying to say, only you said it better!! :bow :xyxthumbs